Collecting By Engraver

Apropos Canada's first Christmas stamp.
I've seen much written including here on SCF where many collectors believe that the 1898 2c stamp was the first because it was inscribed XMAS 1898.

Here is the new issue announcement from the Post Office Department
which states that:
the 1964 issues are the first Canadian postage stamps,intended especially for use on Christmas mails.

So it appears that the Post Office believed these were the first
Canadian Christmas stamps.
They should know, right?

I'm amazed at the longevity of some of these engravers.
Nethryk previously mentioned that France Scott 1988 was one of Albert Decaris' last stamps issued.

Therefore he was 84 years old in 1985 same age as Czeslaw Slania when he engraved his last stamp in 2005.

Truly amazing.

Florian said:




Florian don't even think like that. Anyone can post images with
a half decent scanner, it's no big deal.

But you with your knowledge of engravers, designers and printing
are contributing facts and info to this forum which
would be unobtainable otherwise.

And your stories about meeting some of these Czech engravers, designers etc is....how shall I say....priceless.

I enjoy reading and look forward to all your posts.

lithograving, Canada Xmas stamp (1898) was engraved by Charles Skinner (1841-1932).
As well as the center (Battle of Chacabuco) of this Chilean stamp of 1910 :

Litho, that 1964 Canadian Christmas set gives me fond memories. I was 6.5 years old at the time and distinctly remember seeing them on Christmas cards that came to my parents house in Pointe Claire, Que at the time. It was right then when I was starting to collect stamps, fighting over them with my older sister at the time...

Decaris daily double: Here are images of two stamps depicting important Andorran historical events, designed and engraved by Albert Decaris, and issued by Andorra (French Administration) on June 22, 1963, Scott Nos. 156 & 157.

- nethryk

Charlemagne crossing Andorra (778)


Louis Le Debonnaire giving Andorra's founding charter

Yes BC, I remember those days well. I pored over every new stamp
I got my hands on.
Actually I used stamp tongs from the earliest days of collecting as
taught me by my grandfather when I was about your age.
Canada, as did most countries, issued very few stamps then, especially commemoratives.
1958 - 8
1959 - 7
1960 - 2
1961 - 5
1962 - 5
1963 - 4

And all Canadian stamps were printed engraved either mono or
bi-colour.
I used love getting some multicolour offset from West Germany
or multi photogravure from Switzerland and a bit later GB.

At that time I was basically turned off these drab engraved
Canadian stamps and wanted some colour.

Well we've got colour enough now but as far as I'm concerned
the excitement in waiting for a new issue to come out is
long gone.

jorge, thanks for the info re ABNC engraver Charles Skinner.

The 1965 Canadian Christmas stamps portrayed Gifts from the Wise men

Designer : Helen Roberta Fitzgerald

Engravers: Yves Baril (vignette) Donald J. Mitchell(lettering)


Scott/Unitrade 443, 444

Nethryk..Thanks for the extra info on the Bernhardt engraving.
Here are some of my Decaris..forgive me if they've been previously posted...but can one really get tired of admiring his work?

Has to be in my top 10 in Decaris designs.
Scott 1120




Scott 1557


Scott 1003


Scott 799

Serge Diaghilev was a Russian art critic, patron, ballet impresario and founder of the Ballets Russes, from which many famous dancers and choreographers would arise.

Eugene Lacaque
Scott 1541

More Decaris via Monaco


Scott 900-02






Scott 597


Scott 506


Scott 580

Lithograving..too bad it's hard to find more details on the engravers that worked for the American Bank Note Co. etc. Being in Ottawa, i'll
see what I can find out at National Archives of Canada...maybe at least I can get a better idea of what was engraved by George Arthur Gundersen. The Archives website lists reference material pertaining to him but no images. I'm on a mission!

Here's a couple of American Bank Note Co. licensed images...albeit Cinderellas.



I initially thought this was a crease on my stamp..but no!..it's the detailed horizontal lines of the river.

graphis, those french engravers were great but I love the
two ABNC Cinderellas the best.

Yes it would be a treat to get more info about Canadian engravers.
I wish you success and I'm sure you will share with us any news.

Well, here are some ABNCo engravers.
PANAMA stamps :

Scott 212
Vignette: Robert Savage (1868-1943), Border: George H. Seymour


Scott 236
Vignette: William Jung (1895-1950), Border: William H. Maple


Scott 343
Vignette: Robert Savage (1868-1943), Border: Charles H. Milks and Walter Rosch


Scott 345
Vignette: William F. Ford (1892-1962), Border: Charles H. Milks


Scott 348
Vignette: Sydney F. Smith (1901-1942), Border: Hartman